SPACE SCIENCE AND APPLICATIONS IN THE 1970 - S 



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As promised, I will keep you fully informed about NASA's Public Affairs 

 activities. I welcome your interest and advice, and with your permission, will actively 

 solicit your ideas and suggestions on how we can better explain to the public the 

 importance of the space effort to the well being of this Nation and all its Citizens. 



Representative and Mrs. Robert Price Representative Bob Casey (Democrat of 



(Republican of Texas) at Johnson Space Texas), a committee member from 1961 to 

 Center. Representative Price served on the 1965, after which he joined the Appropria- 

 committee from 1969 to 1973. tions Committee. Congressman Casey main- 



tained an active interest in the committee's 

 progress, as he represented one of the 

 Houston, Tex., congressional districts. 



In mid-1972, Representative Bob Casey (Democrat of Texas), 

 expressed concern about the weak NASA public affairs program to 

 Fuqua, who at that time was serving as Chairman of the Subcom- 

 mittee on NASA Oversight: 



I wanted to call this to your attention and possibly in your hearings you would 

 see fit to see what remains of our efforts to keep the public, and in particular the 

 educational institutions, properly informed as to NASA's worth. 



Fuqua responded to Casey that the committee had expressed its 

 concern to NASA several times "for the lack of direction, control 

 and emphasis in this area." He added that decreased funding for 

 NASA had naturally been reflected by decreased funding in the public 

 affairs area, and that a Presidential order of November 6, 1970, had 

 directed a sharp reduction in funds to be available "for broadcasting, 

 exhibits, films, publications, and similar public relations efforts." 

 A strong economy bloc in Congress, led by Senator Proxmire of Wis- 

 consin, was also attacking public relations funding. 



